What motivates us?

There were certain occasions when the Prinipal of my college would ask me to sing a prayer song in front of the whole college. My co-lecturers would sometimes request me to write or design a report.During our get-together my friends would ask me to mimic somebody.All these made me feel very important and happy and the feeling that somebody has recognized my talents motivated me . So,what is Motivation?
It is nothing but an inner driving force that activates our moves.It starts with needs and ends with need satisfaction.There are many theories on motivation,some famous ones being Maslow's theory,Herzberg's theory etc.
I happened to read a book titled"Managing Motivation" which talks about motivation in real life situation.The author is of the view that we are easily motivated by four kinds of things/tasks/jobs.

• Those which we enjoy
• Those which are acceptable
• Those which we desire
• Those which are a compulsion

He says nothing motivates us more than love. Love for your work, family, nation etc motivates us to put in our best.We enjoy doing it when we like it ,enjoy it.
There are certain things in life which we accept without any qualms....while doing these things we are highly motivated.Now what about the things which are unacceptable but forced on us ?
Our motivation level dips to zero when we do those things.Why?Because it has been forced on us.
How do we rectify it? Deviating slightly from these points,I would like to make a mention of Atma Gnana yoga which says that in a situation like this we have to think that the command has come from our inner self.Then the unacceptable becomes acceptable.When the command is not from others then it becomes acceptable.Thus acceptability plays a vital role in motivating us in the various tasks that we undertake.
We are forever motivated to do things which we desire or like.The feeling that "It is our idea or desire "maybe motivates us.
An individual may be motivated by rewards, benefits, recognition, skill acquisition or a sense of achievement.There is nothing which motivates everyone uniformly.Individuals differ in what they value and what they value may vary over time.